106th New York Vet marries sister of a 54th Mass veteran

Question

It appears George Constine (1842 - 1879) married Mary L. Livingston (1853) who is the sister of Franklin R. Livingston (abt. 1844 - 1869) a veteran of the 54th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry (Colored), United States Civil War

Did George Constine marry into an African American family? If so this is interesting and one of the only cases I’ve come across in the 106th New York regiment and especially for this era of history.

Any collaboration is appreciated 

Thank you 

Note: his wife has a black heritage sticker on her profile. Maybe we can improve upon her profile 

Answer 1

Interracial marriage was legal in both New York and Massachusetts at this time, so it's completely possible from a legal standpoint.

Comments

But after looking at the Mary Livingston you linked, this is the wrong Mary. Mary Livingston whose brother was in the 54th Mass appears to have never married and lived with her parents in Hudson, NY through 1880. I'll attach the correct Mary to George.

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Thank you for clarifying and updating. This is interesting about interracial marriage being legal in this era in Massachusetts and New York. I wonder how common it was?